I've got phimosis but am scared of circumcision

However, if the foreskin is very tight and unable to retract it may cause discomfort during intercourse. In many people, providing the tightness...

01/07/2014

Question

I'm quite sure I suffer from adult phimosis and only really realised early last year.

I am unable to pull my foreskin over my glans at all; my frenulum is also seemingly very short.

This is a physical issue as opposed to phimosis due to an infection or something – I'm basically too tight.

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I'm terrified of circumcision, but at the same time, this thing is kind of ruining my life as I'm unable to have an adult relationship with anyone.

My main concern with circumcision is that of urination – with my foreskin intact, my urine flow is steady and controllable.

But when I have pulled my foreskin out of the way in the past as a test whilst urinating, my urine flow has been really high pressured and at an angle in line with my penis – I assume because I’m used to having a foreskin there to slow it down.

If I have a circumcision I'm scared of the usual stuff, but also not being able to urinate properly.

Do you know of any incidents like this? I've never been treated for it at all, because (as silly as this sounds) I had no idea that the foreskin was supposed to even retract all the way until last year.

My other main question would be – after 22 years of being quite covered, my glans is very sensitive (even though I wash it every shower, bath, etc by retracting the foreskin as far as it will go) – it's about as sensitive as a blister on a foot would be – won't a circumcision leave me in pain every time it's touched?

How long do adult circumcisions normally take for the glans to become less sensitive? Do you know of any 'cures' for this problem that won't involve me having a complete circumcision?

Answer

Normally the foreskin separates from the glans penis during infancy although it may take longer in some children.

Once this has happened it gradually stretches so that it can retract back behind the glans even in the erect penis.

As you have found this normally occurs during intercourse.

However, if the foreskin is very tight and unable to retract it may cause discomfort during intercourse. In many people, providing the tightness is not due to scarring, the foreskin will gradually stretch until it will comfortably retract.

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Although I expect you may have tried this already, gentle retraction of the foreskin regularly perhaps when you are in the bath or shower will encourage the natural process.

Assuming you have tried this and failed then you may need to seek advice about adult circumcision.

Your concern about the force of your urine stream is unnecessary. In a young man the flow may well be as you describe. You will have to adjust your aim, but the angle of flow is correct.

Sensitivity after any surgery is a very temporary problem and most people are surprised how quickly the body adjusts. There are no simple remedies I am afraid.

However, as you say that there is no infection or scarring of the foreskin it would be well worth gently stretching the foreskin as I have described.

You will find that the condition will improve, possibly sufficiently to avoid surgery.

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